I hate the douchery that Bazaar stands for. It makes me wish that you could separate the food from the clientele and/or location but Jose apparently wants to go balls deep in a crowd that flies to NYC just to shop at Scoop.

they're really different restaurants, particularly gjelina. if you want the whole cali/alice waters/farm to table thing, that is absolutely your best choice of the three. and the food is delicious. i still haven't eaten at ink, but there's a semi-private dining room at bazaar far away from teh db lobby called ssam bar (no misspelling) and i've had a couple of my best "molecular" meals ever there.

Bumping this thread for a good place for a young professional to live for two years or so in LA (21 years old will be 22 for the move, no commitments, good amount of money to spend but would like to keep rent at $1-$1.2k monthly or so, would be down to purchase a apartment/house/condo if price is reasonable and it has good upside (budget would depend on what I'm getting). Have a good amount of friends mostly by UCLA/USC so those areas may be an option. Working probably downtown area or within 20-30 minute drive.

Would want:
Decently busy atmosphere near me (able to walk to get food, groceries, but will have a car as well)
Good restaurants in area
Good nightlife. Ideally a good mix of clubs / pubs / bars
Decently safe, ok with a few issues
Maybe a few galleries or something of the like

Any ideas? Figure housing market should improve a bit by 2014 to recoup broker fees and mortgage payments if I buy. Also could rent out after 2 years. Not planning on staying in LA but may if I like it enough.

Anyone know if there is anywhere in LA that carries Left Field stuff? I used to find it at this shop in Los Feliz called Atmosphere, but that closed at least a year ago.

For stevent, Los Feliz is a pretty walkable neighborhood. There are two grocery stores in walking distance (three trader joes within a 10 minute drive), some decent places to eat -- mostly good breakfast and a few good burger and taco stands, and its close to downtown and Hollywood (if you want to go to bars and clubs). You also have quick access to both the 5 and the 101 so getting around is pretty easy.

You should live downtown. There are a few apartment complexes near 1st or 2nd (Promenande Towers, and a couple on Grand) that are reasonably priced, nice if you have a sense of style and can make it cool, and have all the amenities you want - gym, pool, dry cleaning, concierge, etc. You will have a lot more fun in LA if you get home from your job in under 15 minutes. Everyone will be complaining about traffic and you will have just finished your workout and be ready to go out for the night.